Rear-end signal for vehicles.



C. P. MARSTON.

REAR END SIGNAL FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 18, 1913.

1,095,902. Patented May 5, 1914.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

WITNESSES IIWENTOR ATTORNEYS G. F. MARSTON.

REAR END SIGNAL FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED PEIB.18,1913.

Patented May 5, 191i 2 SHEETS-SEBET 2.

had

H %8 mm Mn NZ N mm 0" w, n /M% An I? v, 68

WITNESSES mg of the-signa cntannns F. mansron, or cnnannuns'r, new

BEABrEND SIGNAL FOB VEHICLES.

YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed February 1a, 1913. Serial No. 749,064.

Patented May 5, 1914.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known. that I, CHAnLEs F. MABSTOTW, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cedarhurst, in the county of Nassau and and Improved Rear-End Signal for Veand exact description.

' Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are: To provide a signal of the character mentioned, having means readily operable by the foot of the driver, to selectively actuate signs to indicate his intent; to provide a foot-pedal for controlling the driving mechanism of a vehicle, having mounted thereon a series of electrical contacts for completing operating electric circuits to dispose in view, and selectively, signs or implements to indicate the proposed movement of the vehicle having the signal; and to provide a signal of the character mentioned, the construction whereof is simple, durable and efficient One embodiment of the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- I Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing the side of a foot-pedal-operated controlling lever having electric switches constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a front view of the pedal; Fig. 3 is atop view of the same; Fig. 4 is a detail view in section, on an enlarged scale, showing'a ball contact for effecting the closure of one of the operating circuits to accommodate a possible excess of movement thereof; Fig. 5 is a pictorial view showing a rear fragment of an automobile having a rear-end signal mounted on the mudguard thereof, said signal being constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view, showing the panels with which the presently-described signal is provided, together with the electro-actuated means for operating the same; Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on the line 7-7 in Fig. 9; Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 8-8 in Fig. 9; Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation showing art of the front of the easa portion of the operating panels thereof, and one side of the battery of electro-mechanical devices forcontrolling said panels.

As seen best in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the

signal is mounted in a case 14. The case 14.

is provided with a view opening 15, the sides of which are beveled, and the lower side of which is pierced to form receptacles for electric lamps 16. The lamps 16 serve to State of New York, have invented a new illuminate when signaling the view opening 15 and the panels disposed therein. hicles, of which the following is a full, clear,

The panels referred to are three in numher, and are nested, as best seen in Fig. 7 of the drawings. Said panels are here designated by the numerals 17, 18 and 19. The panel 19 is that upon which is usually placed the word Stop, and is relatively the rearmost of the three panels herein disclosed. The other panels, numbers 17 and 18, are each provided optionally with one of the words Left and Right. Each of the panels is connected by means of laterally-extended arms 20, with one of the core rods 21,22 and 23. The rods 21, 22 and 23 are constructed of soft iron to form a core for solenoids 24, 25 and 26, respectively. The solenoids 24, 25 and 26 are duplicated and arranged in pairs, one part of each pair being located at the opposite ends of the case 14. The solenoids 24, 25 and 26 are suitably connected with binding posts 27, and are incorporated in one of the circuits formed by a battery 28 and switches 29, 30 and 31, respectively. The general circuit forming a part of each of the individualized circuits comprises the main .32, and a common return 35.

lVhen a switch 34 on the branch wire 33 is closed, the lamps 16 are illuminated coincidently with the lift of the panel 19. The panel 19 is lifted either independently or in conjunction with each of the panels 17 and 18. As the panel 19 is operated for each signal, the lamps 16 are illuminated for each signal. The lamps 16 are employed only at night, when artificial light is used for eliminating the signal panels. During the day, to economize the electric current, the switch 34 is opened, which darkens the lanips 16 without disturbing the individual circuits operating the various panels. The individual circuits for operating the panels are respectively controlled by the switches 29, 30 and 31, selectively and successively.

When the switch 29 is closed, the solenoids 24 are energized, the current flowing therethrough byway of the main 32 and branch wires 35 and 36. Likewise, when the switch' 30 is closed, the solenoids 25 are energized,

p the operation i ids by Way ct or .i to pivot 1 i the inovalole switch in d 0 are the pivoted levees ll a 42 are each oivo 3, pins servi as the levers ell l e c with foot pads lwhich in the construction are spaced apart moi-e than the 11011: Width of the sole of a mans SL108? the idea losing that when operating one of the levee-s 41, t2, the driver cannot operate other lever, and to provide the driver may depress 'olate Without opeia either lever ll or ex. lower ends of levers ll and i2 are provided with wiper'heads 46, The heads swing over hall contacts 4?, which, as shown in 1* ig. of the d ai'e mounted in metal sockets 4:8 extenain through the insulated bracket as bracket 49 is bolted, as shown best in i of the drawings, to the under side 01 "he late Eachoi opening of 1 n H I eacn oi: the sockets 4% LS ClOSC-ifi owe? of ov a cap 5 This coosts'action is I l Each of the the balls i? is extended from e socket by springs 50., T i

seen in e: o cap nuts 50 a. WQSllGES 52c nested one i and ll) inc 3o" "or i o of the draw over suitably 1116K 35o: contioning vehicle, who control. plate l? i with the frame 53 by a hinge pin 55, n supported in separated relation to said frame by a spiral spring 56. To guide the plate 43, the same provided With a guide 11 xtending through a depressed I i the frame 53 serving as h loci" for the spring 56. I fhen an automobile is equipped signal device opera-tine means the; constructed and arranged as above described, thereof is as tollo'wszlt is obvious that heneves drivel presses upon the pl e l3 to tech the lever 54; for controlling automobile, said plate is depressed upon the frame 53, the spring as came 53 and said levers. stood that the lever 5e and parts connected therewith inetallically connected with the electrical source, such as the battery 28 indicated in ig. 6 of the drawings, and that said parts united constitute the equivalent 0 of the Wire 35 in said diagram.

The wire to, as described, and as shown in the diagram Fig. 6, is incorporated in the circuit having the solenoids :26, which, w ien energized, lift the panel 1 carrying thereon the Word Stop. For eveiy operation oi the signal Where the plate e3 is depressed, it will he understood, the circuit having the sole noids 26 to lift the panel 19, is closed, and said panel is tie operator desires to indicate an intention to turn to the rit ht or left, he places his foot on the pad of the lever 42 or the lever l-l, as the case may be. ll the lever 42 is locked on its pivot, the Wiper head 56 thereof closes the circuit enibodying the Wire 38 and solenoids 1c solenoids lift the l 18 liavii iei'con imprinted the word t is understood that being lifted, concoals the pane 18 in the area v1 'ed in th case \iltii it is the left, the V91 ll, and in doing is, the lever 4:2 is released, permitting a spring 5? to swing the wiper head out oi contact with the ha 1, thereby breaking the circuit embodying the Wire 38 and the sole noids previously operating to elevate the panel 18.

It will be understood that while the spring 56 has suiiicient strength to lift the plate and parts connected therewith, it has not suilicient strength to operate the lever 54 and parts connected tlierew' The result of this construction is that the plate 423 depressed to operate the rear end the intenti sl if inav he signals without operating the lever 'll enables the driver to indicate to a loilowing vehicle It Will be Linden M behind the panel 1 non, prior to his operation of the circuits are thereby opened, thus avoiding the difliculty arising from neglect of the ters Patent 1. In combination with an automobileoperating mechanism having a foot-pedal; a foot-plate movably mounted on said pedal, to be-depressed by the foot of the operator toward said pedal; a signal, embodying a plurality of movable panels and electro-mechanical devices for operating to expose the same; means for normally conceahn said panels; and an electric current supp y for said electro-mechanical devices, embodying switch members, one of which is supported by said plate to be moved therewith into contact with said pedal.'

2. In combination with an automobileoperating mechanism having a foot-pedal; a foot-plate movably mounted on said pedal, to be depressed by the foot of the operator toward said pedal; a signal, embodying a plurality of movable panels and electromechanical devices for operating to expose the same; means for normally concealing said panels; an electric current supply for said electro-mechanical devices, embodying switch members, one of which is supported by said plate to be moved therewith into swinging contact with said pedal; and a plurality of swinging switch members mounted on said plate, operably disposed to the foot of the driver, the depression whereof selectively actuates said electro-mechanical devices.

3. In combination with an automobileoperat-ing mechanism having a foot-pedal; a foot-plate movably mounted on said pedal, to be depressed by the foot ofthe o rator toward said pedal; a signal, embo yinga plurality of movable panels and electromechanical devices for operating to expose the same; means for normally concealing said panels; an electric current suppl for said electro-mechanical devices, embo ying switch members, one of which is supported by said plate, contact with said pedal; and a plurality-of switch members mounted on said plate, operably disposed to the foot of the driver, the depression whereof selectively actuates said electro-mechanical devices, said switch members being spaced apart to avoid beingoperated simultaneously by the foot of the driver.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES F. MARSTON.

Witnesses:

E. F, Munnoox, PHILIP D. ROLLHAUB.

to be moved therewith mto 

